Educational technology degree online graduate programs offer students a convenient way to advance their knowledge and skills. The programs also help students learn how to prepare for a variety of potential new and emerging occupations in education.[i] We live in a digitally driven age where multiple media platforms are used in teaching. These media platforms are used within classrooms, boardrooms and homes. They also are used from e-learning to instructional videos and software specifically designed for tablets and mobile devices. You may want to bring some of this educational technology into your workplace, your school, or create online course curriculums. Whatever your academic and personal goals, distance-learning can be a wonderfully convenient method. Distance-learning may help you earn an educational technology degree!

Basics of Educational Technology Degree Online Programs

Educational technology degree online programs may appeal to working professionals and aspiring accredited teachers who have a Bachelor’s degree. Educational technology degree online programs may also appeal to licensed educators with busy schedules who are unable to commute to a residential program at graduate school. Offered as online graduate certificates, teacher endorsements, master’s and doctorate degrees, distance-learning programs are designed to provide some scheduling flexibility. While each program and graduate school differs in their course content and format, working towards your educational technology degree online may involve:

Could be a mirror of residential program in terms of course selections and lectures

Might be either or both asynchronous and synchronous in terms of format

Program completion may or may not lead to licensure preparation

An autonomous personality, able to learn independently

In some cases, may entail: week-end in residence workshops, intensives or meetings on campus in addition to online learning

DID YOU KNOW? Developments in virtual reality technologies help to expand learning opportunities for disabled persons. Higher education is committed to all kinds of technological innovation[ii].

Earn a Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology Online

Current teachers and professionals seeking a shorter term option to a full graduate degree may appreciate earning an endorsement or graduate certificate in educational technology online. While program lengths and number of credits vary, certificates can take a year to complete full time (which could equal about 18 credits). State Education Boards usually have specific requirements for teaching licenses in terms of what one can teach. In the case of endorsements, these indicate which subject areas one is allowed to teach in a specific state. So, it is recommended that you verify whether an out of state endorsement would be transferable.

Find an Online Masters Educational Technology Program

Do you want to potentially oversee school curriculums and teaching standards or develop instructional materials and products that assist in education?[iii]If so, look into options for online masters in educational technology programs. Each online educational technology degree has unique features. Some degrees focus on cognition in education and how to design instructional online material. Other degrees may focus on how to use educational technology with specific grade levels or how to prepare for a potential career as a technology specialist. Usually earning a master’s in educational technology requires 2 years of full-time study, a thesis or capstone project, and a Bachelor’s degree. However, these are variables and it is preferable to use guidelines from each graduate school.

Find Online Doctorate Programs in Educational Technology

The sophistication of online learning has enabled online doctorate programs in educational technology to flourish. Often this level of study requires advanced and independent research methodology, analytics and topics such as educational policy. Some programs may build on the Master’s degree. Other programs may accept students with a Bachelor’s degree as long as they have specific requisite courses. Program lengths can vary (sometimes 3 to 6 years) between schools. The length of the program often depends on the educational background.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the quality assurance through an outside peer review. Look for an accredited educational technology degree online graduate program and graduate school. There are two types of accreditation – institutional and Professional[iv]. Institutions might maintain accreditation from a regional accreditor. Institutions may also main accreditation from several professional accreditors such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Educational Technology Degree: Pathway to New and Emerging Options?

One thing is certain – education and technology are partners. And, as telecommunications applications improve, it is giving rise to ‘new and emerging’ specialist occupations such as[v]:

School diagnosticians

Distance learning coordinators

Technology infusion specialists

Directors of technology

Technology coordinator

Most employers, especially in public schools, require professionals working in instructional coordination occupations to have a master’s degree.[vi]. So, while a degree is not a guarantee, it may be to take the next academic step and to potentially open yourself to ‘new and emerging’ career paths.

Take the Next Step

Are you interested in potentially boosting your current career? Or, are you initiating a new vocational pathway? No matter your desired path, the time may be favorable to look into educational technology degree online graduate programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth in some of these fields is projected to increase by about 7% from 2014 to 2024[vii]. Start browsing our sponsored listings to find choices. These potential selections could include the following degree types:

Online Doctor of Education –Learning Analytics in Higher Education

Online M.A. in Learning Design and Technology

Online Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology

Where you can, visit the school site and/or request information from each school. Ask them about their unique curriculum and how they format their online program. Also, be sure to inquire about the deadline date for application submission.

If you’re passionate about helping institutions of higher education enhance results, Northcentral University’s online PhD degree program with a specialization in Learning Analytics in Higher Education may be a great fit for you.

If you are interested in a graduate-level specialization involving K-12 learning analytics, but not a doctoral degree, NCU's Education Specialist (EdS) degree program with a specialization in Learning Analytics may be for you.

The Education Specialist degree with a specialization in E-Learning will train you as a specialist who has the ability to integrate curriculum development, instructional design and course delivery using technology and online learning management syste...

The PhD in Education degree with a specialization in E-Learning will develop your knowledgebase in curriculum development, instructional design and course delivery using technology and online learning management systems.

NCU’s Doctor of Education (EdD) with a specialization in Learning Analytics K-12 will prepare you to improve the K-12 academic experience and its results in primary, intermediate and secondary educational systems. This program emphasizes identi...

NCU’s online Doctor of Education (EdD) with a specialization in Learning Analytics in Higher Education can set you apart in this field as an educational data analyst. This program will immerse you in data analytics, instruction on proper identi...

If you’re committed to researching educational systems and applying the findings to improve student, faculty and school success, the NCU Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) with a specialization in Learning Analytics K-12 can help you devel...

Marian University-Wisconsin

Interested in improving students' educational and training experiences? Want to enhance your understanding of technology as a tool for students and professionals alike? Earning your Master’s in Educational Technology could be the perfect next step!...

American University

The online Master of Science in Instructional Design and Learning Analytics focuses on the application and adaptation of analytic methodologies to manage learning, instructional design, and talent development projects...

Do you aspire to drive transformative educational change in your institution and community? Designed for practitioners and administrators from P-12 to higher education, Walden University’s online Doctor of Education (EdD) program offers flexibi...

Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Instructional Technology program is designed for practicing teaching professionals who have an interest in becoming a technology specialist or coach—or educators who endeavor to increase thei...

Ashford University

Lead people to new heights with your Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organizational Development and Leadership from Ashford University. This doctoral degree is the culmination of graduate studies in leadership and organization.

Earn your onlineMaster of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology degree from Ashford University to focus on developing your expertise in designing, implementing, and facilitating instructional technology in a variety of learning environments.&...

Full Sail University

University of Louisville

The Instructional Technology endorsement is designed mainly for Kentucky teachers who want to be better equipped to critically evaluate the need, validity and viability of instructional technologies appropriate for use in the P-12 classrooms.

Baylor University

Delivered online by Baylor University School of Education, the EdD in Learning and Organizational Change prepares students to apply essential learning principles toward managing the dynamics of organizational change.

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EducationDynamics maintains business relationships with the schools it features. The sources for school statistics and data is the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.